Association between Intestinal Microecological Changes and Atherothrombosis

Chinese guidelines for integrated diagnosis and treatment of intestinal microecology technologies in tumor application (2024 Edition)

ABSTRACT

Intestinal microecology (IM) is the largest and most important microecological system of the human body. Furthermore, it is the key factor for activating and maintaining the physiological functions of the intestine. Numerous studies have investigated the effects of the gut microbiota on the different tissues and organs of the human body as well as their association with various diseases, and the findings are gradually being translated into clinical practice. The gut microbiota affects the occurrence, progression, treatment response, and toxic side effects of tumors. The deepening of research related to IM and tumors has opened a new chapter in IM research driven by methods and technologies such as second-generation sequencing and bioinformatics. The IM maintains the function of the host immune system and plays a pivotal role in tumor-control drug therapy. Increasing evidence has proven that the efficacy of tumor-control drugs largely depends on the IM balance, and strategies based on the IM technology show promising application prospects in the diagnosis and treatment of tumor. The Tumor and Microecology Professional Committee of the Chinese Anti-cancer Association gathered relevant experts to discuss and propose the "Chinese guidelines for integrated diagnosis and treatment of IM technologies in tumor application (2024 Edition)," which was established based on the research progress of the application of the IM technology in tumor to provide a basis for the standardization of the diagnosis and treatment of the IM technology in the tumor.

Exploring global research trends in Chinese medicine for atherosclerosis: a bibliometric study 2012-2023

Background

While Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) boasts an extensive historical lineage and abundant clinical expertise in addressing atherosclerosis, this field is yet to be penetrated adequately by bibliometric studies. This study is envisaged to evaluate the contemporary scenario of TCM in conjunction with atherosclerosis over the preceding decade while also identifying forthcoming research trends and emerging topics via the lens of bibliometric analysis.

Methods

Literature pertaining to TCM and atherosclerosis, circulated between January 1, 2012 and November 14, 2023, was garnered for the purpose of this research. The examination embraced annual publications, primary countries/regions, engaged institutions and authors, scholarly journals, references, and keywords, utilizing analytical tools like Bibliometrix, CiteSpace, ScimagoGraphica, and VOSviewer present in the R package.

Result

This field boasts a total of 1,623 scholarly articles, the majority of which have been contributed by China in this field, with significant contributions stemming from the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Moreover, this field has received financial support from both the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Key Basic Research Development Program. Wang Yong tops the list in terms of publication count, while Xu Hao's articles take the lead for the total number of citations, positioning them at the core of the authors' collaborative network. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology leads with the most publications and boasts the greatest total number of citations. Principal research foci within the intersection of Chinese Medicine and Atherosclerosis encompass disease characteristics and pathogenic mechanisms, theoretical underpinnings and syndrome-specific treatments in Chinese medicine, potentialities of herbal interventions, and modulation exerted by Chinese medicines on gut microbiota.

Conclusion

This analysis offers a sweeping survey of the contemporary condition, principal foci, and progressive trends in worldwide research related to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and atherosclerosis. It further delves into an in-depth dissection of prominent countries, research institutions, and scholars that have made noteworthy strides in this discipline. Additionally, the report analyzes the most cited articles, research developments, and hotspots in the field, providing a reference for future research directions for clinical researchers and practitioners.

Effect of TMAO on the incidence and prognosis of cerebral infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) on the incidence and prognosis of cerebral infarction.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for all clinical studies on the association of TMAO with cerebral infarction incidence and prognosis from inception to April 2023. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using the meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE) declaration list. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of the study. This study protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database with the ID: CRD42023459661. The extracted data included the OR value of the effect of TMAO on the incidence and prognosis of cerebral infarction, the HR value between TMAO and underlying diseases, the RR value, 95% confidence intervals, and the AUC value of TMAO in the prediction model of cerebral infarction.

Results

Fifteen studies including 40,061 patients were included. All the patients were from China or Germany. The TMAO level was significantly correlated with the Modified Rankin Score (mRS) 3 months after the onset of cerebral infarction (OR, 1.581; 95% CI, 1.259-1.987; p < 0.01). The TMAO level was significantly correlated with the rate of first-time incidence and recurrence of cerebral infarction (OR, 1.208; 95% CI, 1.085-1.344; p < 0.01 and HR, 1.167; 95% CI, 1.076-1.265; p < 0.01, respectively). The TMAO level was also highly correlated with disease severity at onset (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS >5) (OR, 5.194; 95% CI, 1.206-22.363; p < 0.05), but had no significant correlation with mortality after cerebral infarction (p > 0.05). Correlation analysis of TMAO with underlying diseases in the population indicated that TMAO had a significant correlation with histories of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and cerebral infarction (p < 0.05), but not with hyperlipidemia (p > 0.05). Six risk prediction models of TMAO for cerebral infarction reported in four studies were systematically evaluated; five of them had good predictive value (AUC ≥ 0.7).

Conclusion

TMAO is an independent risk factor affecting the onset, prognosis, and severity of cerebral infarction.

Probing the links: Long non-coding RNAs and NF-κB signalling in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that involves the accumulation of lipids and immune cells in the arterial wall. NF-kB signaling is a key regulator of inflammation and is known to play a critical role in atherosclerosis. Recent studies have shown that lncRNAs can regulate NF-kB and contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Preliminary findings reveal significant alterations in the expression of specific lncRNAs in atherosclerotic lesions compared to healthy arterial tissue. Experimental evidence suggests that these dysregulated lncRNAs can influence the NF-kB pathway. By unravelling the crosstalk between lncRNAs and NF-kB signaling, this review aims to enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis. Identifying novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers may lead to developing interventions and management strategies for this prevalent cardiovascular disease. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of lncRNAs in NF-kB signaling in atherosclerosis and highlights their potential as therapeutic targets for this disease.